Strawberry & Spinach Salad

It’s officially summer and but our cool weather crops are still going strong - spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula, and collards are here to party. Strawberries are abundant this week so why not go for a classic strawberry and spinach salad? 
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This recipe only requires a few ingredients, and you can totally customize to bring in flavors that you love. Swap in your favorite cheeses and toasted nuts to make it your own. Or switch up the dressing for something like poppy seed or creamy tahini. 

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Ingredients

½ bag of spinach
1 cup of sliced strawberries
​½ cup red onion, sliced thinly
½ cup crumbled goat cheese, feta, or cubed cheddar
½ cup toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tbsp maple syrup
Salt & pepper

Method of Preparation

1. Chop or tear spinach into bite sized pieces and add to a large serving bowl. 
   
2. Top with red onion, your choice of cheese, and toasted nuts. For a milder onion bite, soak the freshly sliced red onion in cold water for a few minutes. 
   
3. In a small dish whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and salt & pepper until well combined. 
   
4. Add all of the dressing to the salad and mix everything together until well coated. It may not look like enough dressing, but the spinach will wilt down a bit and the strawberries will release some of their juices once dressed.